Ukrainian sources say Washington’s proposed peace plan appears to favor Moscow, especially after recent talks between U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Kyiv believes the U.S. is applying more pressure on Ukraine than on Russia.
“It looked like the U.S. was trying to sell us Russia’s desire to take all of Donbas,” a Ukrainian official told Axios, referring to a call with Zelensky at the end of three days of negotiations in Florida.
The core issues in the talks remain Russia’s demand for all of Donbas—including parts it doesn’t control—and Ukraine’s call for strong U.S. security guarantees to prevent future aggression.
Zelensky reportedly told U.S. negotiators he had only just received the proposal an hour before the call. U.S. officials said that was surprising, claiming the updated plan had been delivered a day earlier.
Former President Donald Trump expressed frustration Sunday that Zelensky hadn’t read the proposal, adding that Russia supported the deal while questioning Ukraine’s hesitation.
Ukrainian officials said the latest U.S. draft was tougher than previous versions, including on territorial control and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, while leaving security guarantee questions unresolved.
Sources told Axios the Trump team views a planned London meeting between Zelensky and European leaders as a delay tactic. Some Ukrainian officials believe the U.S. is trying to isolate Zelensky from his European allies to exert more influence.
“Zelensky cannot make such dramatic decisions without consulting key European partners,” one official said, noting that while Washington urges speed, European leaders counsel patience.
Zelensky announced Monday that Ukraine will present an updated 20-point peace proposal to the U.S., though no territorial compromise has yet been reached.
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Source: PAP